On September 17, the Hidden Light Institute presented an advance screening of Jonathan Gruber’s film “Centered: Joe Leiberman,” at Stamford’s Avon Theater. A panel discussion with Executive Producer Rob Schwartz; the late senator’s wife, Hadassah Lieberman; and Rabbi Daniel Cohen of Stamford’s Congregation Agudath Sholom followed.

Rabbi Cohen expressed: “The soul of Senator Joseph Lieberman burns bright. He lives in all of us. He lived through us. We embody his values and fuel his transcendent and vital legacy. Joe Lieberman saw every day as a gift and an opportunity. When he awoke, his first question was not ‘What do I want?’ but ‘What does God want of me?’ He didn’t confuse his role with his soul. To his everlasting credit and our eternal benefit, he lived with a higher purpose and walked this world with humility and grace. In his memory, ask yourself every morning, ‘What am I going to do today that is worthy of future memory?’

“Joe believed there were things worth fighting for. His faith in God anchored his principles and courageous choices. As he shared with me, he said, ‘I do not want to be remembered for playing life safe, but for doing what was right.’”

Schwartz, founder of Hidden Light Institute and the film’s executive producer, was chief of staff to Connecticut State Senate Majority Leader Lieberman and a friend for 40 years. They met in New Haven when Lieberman first ran for State Senate. Schwartz’s father, Max, put campaign posters in his luncheonette’s windows, introducing candidate Lieberman to merchants on Legion Avenue. “Little did I know, years later, I would be his chief of staff in the state legislature.”

Schwartz continued: “I had a front-row seat seeing the incredible attributes and values he became known for nationally: integrity, honesty and the ability to listen to people with respect. He made a point of telling me to spend time in the Republican Senate caucus, listening to them. He taught me powerful lessons about family, faith and tradition. When people run for office, whether city councilman, senator or president, they’re ambitious. What separated him from many people is he always understood it was a higher authority. It wasn’t just his temperament that set him aside, but those Torah studies he took so seriously and absorbed into his way of life as a family man, but also as a public servant.”

Schwartz explained: “Making this documentary was a joint decision of both Joe and Hadassah. They didn’t want to be part of a vanity project. They were concerned about the lack of civics being taught in this country’s secondary schools. One plan we shared with them was to create a curriculum to accompany this film across the United States.

“It’s a scary, dangerous thing, raising a generation of young people who don’t understand the sanctity of democracy, the importance of bipartisanship and the need to speak with civility. We call that the Lieberman brain.” Schwartz stated, “He exemplified what bipartisanship was all about. He had an incredible ability to be civil with those who disagreed with him, but I would add, he was strong. Some people misunderstood that civility as a sign of weakness. It was a blessing to work for him and be his friend. We’ve made this movie to honor his neshama.”

The documentary details the political life of the lawmaker, who nearly became the first Jewish vice president of the United States and was known for putting principles above party. “Centered” chronicles Lieberman’s extraordinary journey from his youth in Connecticut to 40-plus years of public service to his death in March 2024.

The movie highlights Lieberman’s pivotal legislation and steadfast leadership, as the first Orthodox Jew elected to the U.S. Senate. His bipartisan approach fostered collaboration across the aisle on health care, military readiness and civil rights.

In the panel discussion, Hadassah Lieberman began: “I’m very emotional, having seen this documentary in Stamford, and even his singing his song at the very end. I miss his beautiful smile, his attitude toward life, and the way he conducted himself as a lawyer, politician and leader was beautiful.”

Cohen added: “Lieberman truly was an extraordinary figure in American Jewish history. The senator understood what Abraham said thousands of years ago: ‘I am a stranger and a citizen among you.’ The values of his faith were so deep that he also understood his role in helping heal the world. It’s a constant reminder not to abrogate that role of responsibility he took upon himself, and we continue to do so as well.”

Hadassah Lieberman highlighted the movie’s inspiration for tikkun olam. “Listen to Joe’s words, to make the world better. Make relationships with all people to repair the world together.”

“Centered: Joe Leiberman” has its world premiere November 17-21 in Washington, D.C.

To learn more about the film or to request a screening, visit www.centeredfilm.com